tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.comments2017-08-16T23:22:17.600-04:00James' Thoughts and MusingsJames Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comBlogger5204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-22623335317529016642017-07-24T12:11:05.725-04:002017-07-24T12:11:05.725-04:00Thanks for your thoughts, Ramona. Thanks for your thoughts, Ramona. James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-41497316418456622422017-07-24T09:29:52.445-04:002017-07-24T09:29:52.445-04:00Imperfect people are all God has ever had to work ...Imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to him, but he deals with it. So should we.” Elder Jeffrey R Holland.<br />In Genesis 17:1 The Lord issues a challenge to Abram (who was 99 years old) .Jehovah “appears” to him and says “I am the almighty God, walk before me and be thou perfect<br />No pressure, but what exactly does the Lord mean when invites us to “walk before him”, and then he guarantees that if we walk before him, we are perfected in that walk. What is that “walk”? Again Jesus challenged his disciples asking “what manner of men and women ought ye to be”. Verily I say even as I am. <br />I have looked at that statement and wondered “No pressure. Jesus was perfect in all of his ways “right? But then it came to me that in all things that Jesus did, he obeyed his Father. He declared that he must work the works of the one that had sent him. What are those works?<br />I love this quote by Brene Brown:<br />“To become fully human means learning to turn my gratitude for being alive into some concrete common good. It means growing gentler toward human weakness. It means practicing forgiveness of my and everyone else&#39;s hourly failures to live up to divine standards. It means learning to forget myself on a regular basis in order to attend to the other selves in my vicinity. It means living so that &quot;I&#39;m only human&quot; does not become an excuse for anything. It means receiving the human condition as blessing and not curse, in all its achingly frail and redemptive reality.” <br />― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You&#39;re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are<br />Perfection or becoming perfect is not about anything that we can physically do, and even within our “right mind” participate in. We are encouraged to “Let this mind be in you”. Or in other words, let this “heart” be within you that new heart that is described in Ezekiel, which is the mind of Christ. Jesus again issues a challenge to us in the face of “perfectionism” and our own feeble thoughts of whether we measure up or not. He says in Matt 16:4 if anyone will come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Bring all of your most imperfect self, we are like “trick bags”, sometimes you never know what you will pull out if you stick your hand in. But as we shoulder our cross, and follow in the footsteps of the Savior, the load will gradually shift. We have to approach this without fear, nothing wavering, no doubt and trusting explicitly. <br />Ramona Gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-1152141771736683812017-07-06T03:47:40.633-04:002017-07-06T03:47:40.633-04:00Yeah, he may have mentioned a manual, too. I&#39;...Yeah, he may have mentioned a manual, too. I&#39;m thinking, how would one have time to read in a time like that? James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-71485686857910429442017-07-05T13:36:26.403-04:002017-07-05T13:36:26.403-04:00Thanks. I&#39;ll keep that in mind the next time m...Thanks. I&#39;ll keep that in mind the next time my fighter jet is shot down behind enemy lines. stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547070544928321788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-43653257299605081772017-07-04T12:39:51.241-04:002017-07-04T12:39:51.241-04:00Part of the procedure is identifying where you are...Part of the procedure is identifying where you are so that you don&#39;t get lost. He also said to make a plan, even if you change it. I&#39;d probably be panicking if that happened to me! James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-34593229543619827042017-07-04T10:49:25.483-04:002017-07-04T10:49:25.483-04:00&quot;the procedure pilots follow when their plane...&quot;the procedure pilots follow when their plane is shot down in battle&quot;<br /><br />So what *is* the procedure? You&#39;re keeping us in suspense. But inquiring minds wish to know! stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547070544928321788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-17557187671443974092017-07-03T16:55:00.524-04:002017-07-03T16:55:00.524-04:00Thank you for sharing your experience about this, ...Thank you for sharing your experience about this, Ramona. James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-83899830081612666052017-07-03T15:42:20.915-04:002017-07-03T15:42:20.915-04:00I like this James, very introspective: Tie a knot ...I like this James, very introspective: Tie a knot and hold on, kinda like a rock climbing metaphor isn&#39;t it? You know I have found myself in that situation, my husband passed away last year. And in light of this being year 2, I realized that my days are just whizzing by, and I have a strong desire to be &quot;present&quot; in my life, even in the face of navigating grief and loss.<br />So I was prompted to reach out for help, to ask for help from the leaders of our church. I sent an email to our presiding Pastor, who is the &quot;Stake President&quot; and asked him for help. We had a meeting and the takeaway for me was a few things; a personal blessing, a word of prophecy and faith, an encouragement to keep a Gratitude journal, and to participate in what we call Family History work, where we work on our personal family trees, which is a pattern of Gathering Israel.<br />My blessing was that in doing these small and simple things, my heart will be healed and blessings will unfold in various areas of my life. <br />RamonaRamona Gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-65754204078038603372017-06-30T18:00:13.503-04:002017-06-30T18:00:13.503-04:00Thanks, Ramona! You have a good 4th, too. Thanks, Ramona! You have a good 4th, too. James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-31129407563284176882017-06-30T13:33:21.919-04:002017-06-30T13:33:21.919-04:00Thanks James
This is a book that intrigues me, and...Thanks James<br />This is a book that intrigues me, and I would definitely consider reading. It seems at times that the writers of history were not always inclusive to women and their work in building up the kingdom of God. But in truth, all who have given their lives for the cause of Christ, with Him saying that in Luke 9: 62 Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” <br />I believe that the &quot;errand of angels is given to women&quot;.<br />Thanks James, happy 4th<br />RamonaRamona Gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-88899078504907296082017-06-17T02:21:36.723-04:002017-06-17T02:21:36.723-04:00Thank you for your comment, Graham. It has been o...Thank you for your comment, Graham. It has been over a year since I read your book, but it has come to my mind since that time. James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-67267613621032157232017-06-16T19:17:18.167-04:002017-06-16T19:17:18.167-04:00Thanks for this insightful and honest review, Jame...Thanks for this insightful and honest review, James. I appreciate the way you have highlighted what you consider the strengths of the book, and also the areas you feel need improvement. Greatly appreciated. Warm regards, Graham HillGraham Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04170792304293674906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-3170215276446545712017-06-02T17:59:07.384-04:002017-06-02T17:59:07.384-04:00I&#39;m not sure if I will read it again, but I do...I&#39;m not sure if I will read it again, but I do find what you said in your comment interesting----especially the part about why God would be clearer to the Lamanites and Nephites about Christ&#39;s coming than to Old Testament Israel. James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-88303618028050603852017-06-02T15:12:51.507-04:002017-06-02T15:12:51.507-04:00Hi James
I am glad you read the Book of Mormon, th...Hi James<br />I am glad you read the Book of Mormon, though I am late to the conversation. I like your review and subsequent questions and observations. I don&#39;t know if you only read the &quot;single&quot; BOM and if you have had the opportunity to read the Doctrine &amp; Covenant (formerly the Book of Laws in the 19th century), or the Pearl of Great Price which is lovely, profound and light shedding. I am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, for about 10 years. I was proselytizeD by Missionaries, took discussions and read through the BOM. I was baptized by water immersion and was commissioned to receive the Holy Spirit by the laying of hands by proper priesthood authority. <br />The reason for the changes in the Beatitudes, even some of Malachi and even Isaiah, was due to the perspective of the Nephites, also the revelation given to the prophet Nephi, after all he and his family left Jerusalem before the Babylonian horde and subsequent apostasy. The beatitudes are from the perspective of a risen Savior, so the meaning is more of an eternal outlook. Jesus spoke to the Jews in parables because he deemed them spiritually deaf and blind, and so their ears were full of dross, and therefore could only tolerate stories or parables. In contrast the Nephites and Lamanites who were all of Jewish heritage,through the line of Joseph and manasseh, had to rely on their prophets to teach them continually, to live by faith, and to believe that Jesus would come and he did. So Jesus spoke to this people in &quot;plainness&quot; meaning that they had a measure of faith to hear him. these were the fair ones that he lamented on after the destruction. <br />There is a lot of &quot;Mormon culture&quot; just like other religions, and this tends to become a stumbling block when looked at from the outside. But we are a fallen people just like everyone else. Sometimes the world hold us up to an unattainable high standard, that we ourselves as a people do not, but strive everyday to be the best by being faithful and obedient and wearing ourselves out in service. The good thing about this church is that when we do err, and we do, we seek to know what is right, and make corrections and restitution, apologies and love. <br />Galatians 1:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.<br />2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.<br />I am glad you read this and i hope one day you can read it again with a different perspective.Ramona Gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-23709162914968016672017-06-01T12:26:37.499-04:002017-06-01T12:26:37.499-04:00I&#39;ll look that up later tonight. I can somewh...I&#39;ll look that up later tonight. I can somewhat envision MacArthur&#39;s explanation fitting with that. And yet, Jesus did drink wine before the last supper. James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-10241115251915568002017-06-01T12:25:23.295-04:002017-06-01T12:25:23.295-04:00Thank you for the book recommentation, Ramona! I ...Thank you for the book recommentation, Ramona! I read the Book of Mormon a while back. I do not entirely remember what it said about the atonement: I do vaguely recall that it presented the atonement as substitutionary. Some of what it said about Christology stood out to me, though. James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-52230927398093431472017-06-01T10:55:58.196-04:002017-06-01T10:55:58.196-04:00You said:
&quot;I am not overly convinced by this ...You said:<br />&quot;I am not overly convinced by this explanation, to tell you the truth. I do not think that Jesus had to die and rise again before Israel could enjoy the blessings of the messianic age, for such blessings were evident in Jesus’ ministry before he died and rose again.&quot;<br /><br />True;this points to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is infinite in its work, and was &quot;at the foundation&quot; of the world. <br />I have wondered if this was the reason Jesus was able to &quot;raise&quot; people from the dead. He stated that he &quot;was&quot; the resurrection and the life. So even though he did these things before dying, the power that was therein, was in effect, then. So this power of atonement of Christ was for past, present and future.<br />Sorry for stalking your blog.<br />There is a really good book about this by a man named Tad Callister, The Infinite Atonement.Ramona Gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-76605380452039706532017-06-01T05:47:40.531-04:002017-06-01T05:47:40.531-04:00Another question, in Luke22:18 says that &quot;I w...Another question, in Luke22:18 says that &quot;I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come&quot; Is there a correlation?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ramona Gordyhttp://thejournaloflostthings.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-56980850184628403672017-06-01T03:41:07.095-04:002017-06-01T03:41:07.095-04:00Thank you for your comment, Ramona. That sounds s...Thank you for your comment, Ramona. That sounds somewhat like the John MacArthur view in (C.). MacArthur says the hour is the hour of his death and resurrection, and yet that water turning into wine is a millennial blessing, and that is consistent with what you are asking, since the millennium occurs after Jesus&#39; return. I don&#39;t think Jesus is referring to the hour of the return, though, since, throughout the Gospel of John, his hour is the hour of his death and resurrection. But I am open to reading defenses of other positions.James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-15896224175805435282017-06-01T00:19:32.800-04:002017-06-01T00:19:32.800-04:00Do you think Jesus may have been referring to the ...Do you think Jesus may have been referring to the as yet unknown hour of his return ?<br />Jesus never seemed to limit his conversation to just the present tense<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ramona Gordyhttp://thejournaloflostthings.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-71626780633923391852017-05-30T12:32:41.516-04:002017-05-30T12:32:41.516-04:00Actually, he says this theology of sanctification ...Actually, he says this theology of sanctification came to him after his scandals. He presents himself as someone who used to pursue sanctification the wrong way, and now pursues sanctification the right way.James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-19755974290319739342017-05-30T09:55:56.454-04:002017-05-30T09:55:56.454-04:00I&#39;d say Jimmy Swaggart&#39;s theology of sanct...I&#39;d say Jimmy Swaggart&#39;s theology of sanctification was less than resoundingly successful in his own life-experience! stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547070544928321788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-68158541310600088082017-05-25T12:59:48.793-04:002017-05-25T12:59:48.793-04:00Important considerations.Important considerations.James Patehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247799389009268470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-81140690193880479152017-05-25T11:15:28.666-04:002017-05-25T11:15:28.666-04:00The affinities with Buddhism are striking. It may ...The affinities with Buddhism are striking. It may be that medieval Christians were more other-worldly because life in the Middle Ages was so grim, with pervasive disease, warfare, famine, high mortality, and fear of the future. Many orphans. Many siblings who died young. Wives who died in childbirth. Children apprenticed to strangers at an early age. And so on and so forth.<br /><br />I expect depression was widespread back then. stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547070544928321788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2246501455640880632.post-52519977710098867292017-05-16T00:46:35.231-04:002017-05-16T00:46:35.231-04:00I don&#39;t think the topic divides people as much...I don&#39;t think the topic divides people as much as the Bible&#39;s view on it. So, what truly divides people is what they pick and choose to believe fromm the Bible.AbbeyKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09998510936283217884noreply@blogger.com